After finishing 4-3 on their road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers returned for a crucial six-game homestand. First up was the start of a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.
Los Angeles entered play Tuesday night holding a one-game lead over their longtime rival in the National League West standings. While the Dodgers are without Clayton Kershaw and their rotation took additional hits, the Giants trotted out ace Madison Bumgarner in the series opener.
He ran into trouble early, allowing the Dodgers to take the lead in the first inning on a two-out rally.
After Corey Seager doubled to the gap, Justin Turner pulled an RBI single into left field. The Dodgers’ scoring continued in the second inning when Rob Segedin once more thrusted himself into the spotlight.
On a 1-1 count, Madison Bumgarner left a fastball over the plate that Segedin lined into the left-field pavilion for a leadoff home run:
That baby is out of here! ⚾️ #Crushedhttps://t.co/TTINwy2LW0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 24, 2016
The home run was the second of Segedin’s Major League career, and second in as many games. He combined with Andrew Toles on Monday for back-to-back home runs, adding more excitement to the players slugging the first homers of their career.
Not to be outdone by Segedin’s solo home run, Toles lined a two-run homer off Giants reliever Javier Lopez to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 9-4:
Stay hot, Andrew T?les.https://t.co/ZIgt5fJAg5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 24, 2016
Segedin and Toles have capitalized on the opportunities that have come their way this season. Their success and contributions embody the organization’s philosophy of establishing depth that ranges beyond the Major League roster.